Combination tool and powder box



April "8 1924..'

J. A. LANHAM COMBINATION Toon. AND POWDER sox mieu may 29. 1s22 A. 2 sham-snapt n April s., 1924. 1,489,771

' J. A. LANHAM COMBINATION TOOL yAND 'POWDER BOX Filed May 29. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y if@ Patented Apr. 8, 1924-.

- STATES JOI-IN A. LANHAM, OF AUBURN, ILLINOIS.

COMBINATION TOOL AND POWDER BOX.

Application led May 29,

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. LANHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Sangamon and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Combination Tool and Powder Box, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to tool and powder boxes designed for use by coal miners, shot firers and others having occasion to use mining tools and explosives.

The purposes of the invention are to provide a combination' tool and powder box so constructed that when the box ,is closed and locked, the receptacle containing powder or other explosive may be insertedin the box but cannot be withdrawn therefrom; to provide a box adapted to contain the usual tools ofthe user and having a compartment to receive ak powder can or the like; to provide an opening equipped with an inwardly opening doorto admit the powder can while the box is closed; to provide a pivoted platform adapted to be depressed by the weight of the powder can and serving to lock the door against inward movement and to provide means for raising the platform upon withdrawal of the powder can.

With these ends in View the invention consists in the novel features of construction and combinations of parts shown in the annexed drawing to which reference is hereby made and now to be described and finally recited in the claim.

Figure 1 is a -perspective view of a combined tool and powder box embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan of the same box, the cover being raised and turned outwardly and Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on the line SW3 of Fig. 2. The same reference numerals designate the same parts in all the views.

In the coal mining industry, and in other similar industries, Velectrically driven machines are largely used and it has been found that it is dangerous to distribute powder or other explosives in the mine or establishment while the electrical machinery is in operation, by reason of the risk of sparking and consequent ignition of the explosives.

`In view of the conditions stated many companies or establishments using electrically driven machines, have rules requiring that the explosives may be introduced into 1922. Serial No. 564,641.

the mine or establishment only when the electric current is shut off, and in the State of Illinois and perhaps elsewl'ie're, there are statutes prohibiting Vthe introduction of explosives while the electric current is being supplied. Y

As a consequence of the rules and statutes, the common practice now is to distributethe explosives at night or at other times when the machinery is not running. This practice necessitates that the user remain to receive his allotment of powder or other explosive, or else take the risk that it will be appropriated by some other person.

In the coal mining industry, to which this invention primarily relates, the common practice is for each miner to have a box containing his tools and powder which he locks when quitting work and when the person distributing the powder comes to the box, he may place it in the box if it has been left unlocked, or otherwise, may place it on or adjacent to the box so that the miner will nd it when he returns to work.

The present invention admits of inserting the powder in the locked box and comprises automatic means for locking the door after the powder can is admitted.

The box 4 is a rectangular structure, preferably of wood or sheet metal, and is adapted to contain the tools and supplies ordinarily used by the miner and is provided with a hinged cover 5 strengthened by transverse plates (not shown). A strap 7 is connected with the cover and has a slot 8 to receive a staple 9 fixed on the side of the box. A padlock 13, of any approved construction, securely connects the strap with the box.

Inside the box is a stationary vertical side wall 10 and a stationary vertical end wall 12 bounding the powder receiving compartment 14;. A platform 15 oscillates on a sta- 'tionary horizontal rod 16. Leaf springs 17 between the platform 15 and the floor of the box act to hold the platform 15 in the inclined position shown in Fig. 3.

In the end of the box L1 is an opening 18 accommodating a door 19 connected with the box by a hinge 20 which admits of swinging the door inwardly.y 'Ihe upper edge of the door 19 contactswith the top wall of the door opening when the door is closed. A stationary plate 23 at the lower end ofthe door-opening prevents outward swinging ofl the door.

WV hen the parts are in the position shown and described and the cover of the box is locked, the person distributing the powder or explosive will press the can or other container against the outer face of the door 19 to cause inward swinging of the door and permit the can 21 to be pushed inwardly on the platform 15 until the door released by the can is free to turn downwardly into the opening and upon pushing the can further inwardly along the platform, the weight of the can and contents will depress the inner end of the platform and raise its outer end as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 to lock the door against inward movement.

A spring 22 fixed on one wall of the box is adapted to keep the inner end of the platform in its depressed position and to keep the outer end of the platform in raised position as indicated by dotted lines 15'; to prevent inward swinging of the door.

Upon unlocking and detaching the lock and raising the cover the tools and the powder can may be removed from the box and the inner end of the platform may be raised by hand to depress the outer end of the platform ,to release the door to permit the insertion of another powder can.

I do not restrict the claim to the precise construction shown and described inasmuch as itis essential only that the weight of the can and contents shall be effective to cause the locking of the door against inward movement.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An apparatus of the class described comprising a box; a cover movable relatively to the box; means for securing the cover on the box; a door-opening in one wall of the box; an inwardly-swinging door occupying said door-opening; means preventing out ward swinging of the door; a. walled compartment in the box accessible through said door-opening; a platform oscillative in said compartment; yielding means normally keeping the inner end of said platform in raised position; and a springy latch adaptf ed to engage the platform to hold the inner end of the platform in its depressed position and to hold the outer end of the platform inposition to prevent inward swinging of the door. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name at Springfield, Illinois, this 26th day of January, 1922.

JOHN A. LANHAh/L lVitnesses WAYNE HUDsoN, MARY F. MILLS. 

